WWE Payback - Payback Was A Biotch!

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Allstate Arena

Rosemont, Illinois

World Wrestling Entertainment was holding its new Pay-Per-View, Payback. A new PPV that honestly had no real expectations leading in to the event except, the Main Event for the WWE Championship, Randy Orton turning Heel and CM Punk making his return. In the weeks that followed several other matches were made as rivalries ensued and were renewed. During these weeks the Main Event went from being an Ambulance Match to a 3 Stages of Hell Match, Fandango was replaced in the Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Championship Match by the renewed Joe Hennig(Curtis Axel), Katilyn's admirer was discovered to be AJ Lee and Team Hell No became Team RK-NO. Then with that the card was practically made and on that night these were the results....

Pre-Show: Sheamus vs Damien Sandow - Singles Match

The Pre-Show Match a match of usually jobber proportions, yet this time we saw the fall of Sheamus. Sheamus recently was moved down to mid-card and upper mid-card status as he's been bumming around the mid-carders. His opponent for this pre-show match was Damien Sandow a man who deserves a great push in the industry. I heard this match was short, but Sheamus had to hit 3 Irish Curse Backbreakers before hitting the Brogue Kick. Several knew Sheamus would win, but a lot felt Sandow should've won. Hopefully in the weeks that follow Sandow will gain the push he deserves.

Match 1: Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) defeated Wader Barrett (c) and The Miz -

Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship

With Fandango recieving a concussion a week before the match, several along with myself hoped for the WWE to place the renamed Joe Hennig, Curtis Axel in the Triple Threat. WWE delievered us that exchange and Curtis Axel was practically handed the Intercontinental Championship on a silver plater. During the actually match thou Curtis Axel had to deal with some heardals. Paul Heyman would manage Curtis Axel amazingly on to avoid and allow Miz or Barrett to do all the work for them. Curtis' "greeness" did actually show as he seemingly looked to botch some moves or was very laggy. The Miz manages to hit a Skull Crushing Finale on Curtis Axel, but unable to score the pin as he and Barrett battled for the bout. Miz went to lock-on a Figure-Four Leglock on Barrett, but Curtis dove in to cover Barrett for the pin stealling the Championship. Overall the fans wanted this outcome, and we now know WWE believes Curtis Axel is the true future of the WWE as is his birthright. I do have to agree with some of my friends that a lot of Curtis' "green" is still present and is greatly affecting his matches, but in all due time he'll get to where he and we want him to be.

Match 2: AJ Lee (with Big E Langston) defeated Katilyn (c) -

Singles Match for the Divas Championship

Months before this match took place AJ became No. 1 Contender for the Divas Championship and Katilyn gained a secret admire. This was all revealed to be AJ playing mind games with her former friend leading into their championship match. Katilyn now on a mental breakdown opened the match with her taking out AJ, she brawled about with AJ physically destroying her. At one point AJ locked a Black Widow-Octopus Strecth on Katilyn, before she broke out and almost de-pants AJ. This lead into the final moments of the match, AJ attempted to use her belt on Katilyn before Katilyn countered and attempted a Spear. AJ avoided it as Kaitlyn bounces off the turnbuckle and AJ locks another Black Widow force Katilyn to submit. This match wasn't a match of greatness, but had a lot riding on this match as two former best friends were against each other. The brutality was expected from Katilyn and people expected more from AJ, but she didn't seemingly actually fight back until using resourceful reversals. I thought Katilyn could fight through the all the mind games like most superstars or divas but couldn't. I felt like her reign was too short and poorly run since she has great potential much like her successor AJ Lee.

Match 3: Dean Ambrose (c) defeated Kane via countout -

Singles Match for the United States Championship

Honestly all I can say about this match was it was probably the most horrible match on the entire card. The match opened good, but didn't carry well for the rest of the match. It was slow with pacing, but was entirerly too slow. I felt it wasn't the best we could get from both superstars for this match. Even the outcome was horrible as it ending via countout for Dean Ambrose to retain. This was by far my most hated match for the entire night, it left me bored and tired.

Match 4: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) defeated Dolph Ziggler (c) (with AJ Lee and Big E Langston) - Singles Match for the World Heavyweight Championship

How can I say this correctly with out using ranting, but this match was pure highway robbery! Dolph Ziggler was coming off from an concussion injury, valiantly tried defending the World Heavyweight Championship. Ziggler seemed to be playing on the concussion early on in the match, but overly became prevalent that it was actually affecting him, probably a storyline issue. Well anyways, Ziggler went down swinging and was defeated by repeated kicks to the head. Del Rio, became the new Heavyweight Champion and actually turned Heel as Ziggler hint to turn face for the fact people were outraged at Ziggler's defeat. I for one was overly disappointed that Ziggler lost possibly due to a storyline write in, I thought that they wouldn't have him drop the belt so damn soon. Along with the double turn that was unexpected, that really throws a monkey rench in wondering how this will affect the storyline in the weeks to come.

Match 5: CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) defeated Chris Jericho - Singles Match

The Best in the World returned defeating Chris Jericho once again put their rivalry at 3 - 0! Punk, made the home town crowd go nuts upon arrival and throughout the entire match. However the match itself was almost an instant classic if it didn't move so sluggish. Punk and Jericho paced themselves throughout most of the match and made it as if they were overly ring rusty. I felt that the ring rust and slow pace of the match ruined it to most extent, and how they played up CM Punk's face turn was well done as he felt the power of the people. The most amazing part is Punk hit 3 GTS on Jericho throughout the match, two of them were immediately back to back for the end result. Overall this was utterly the best match on the card in my personal opinion!

Match 6: The Shield (Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins) (c) defeated Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton - Tag Team Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

So this random Tag Team Championship Match had people knowing the new team of Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton would lose. Just throughout the entire match the two teams put on a good showing. When Bryan was tagged in he unleashed the Dragon as usual, but was overtaken by the Shield. As chaos ensued Orton seemingly threw Bryan at the dogs as Roman Reigns hit his amazing Spear right into Bryan allowing Rollins to gain the pinfall victory. This match was well worked and was really exciting. I personally enjoyed it, but knew that coming off the Punk/Jericho match it wouldn't recieve much cheers until Bryan became the American Dragon once again. Everytime Bryan unleashes the Dragon everyone is left in awe, a great thing that WWE is surely making its money off of.

Match 7: John Cena (c) defeated Ryback -

Three Stages of Hell match for the WWE Championship

Stage 1 - Lumberjack Match, Stage 2 - Tables Match, Stage 3 - An Ambulance Match

Super Cena, prevailed yet again! John Cena managed to squash the entire roster, put Ryback through a table and sent him through the roof of an Ambulance in one night! This was a successful showing from the overrated John Cena, it actually made me like somewhat for how insane the match got. The lumberjack match was done well by having the lumbjacks brawl amongst themselves and allowed Ryback to gain the first fall. Whereas, the second match Ryback and Cena destroy each other and several tables before Cena actually put Ryback through one. That lead to Ryback putting Cena through an announce table before the third match could take place. Then during the final match of the Three Stages of Hell, Cena and Ryback destroyed the Ambulance by breaking off a door and destroying the fender. It was so outrageous I was actually amused by this complete and utter nonsense for a Main Event featuring John Cena as the WWE Champion. Overall for the actual Pay-Per-View it had a lot hate towards it going in from fans and myself, but leaving Payback I for one thought it did amazingly well for an off shoot brand new show from WWE.

Match of the Month #2: Cruiserweight Battle Royal

Welcome back to your favorite monthly article: Match of the Month where I take a look at matches that aren't exactly the most well known. Last month I showed you a match from a local indy company and now a battle royal from WCW. While it IS a match from a very well known company, I still believe that this match isn't referenced enough for how good it truly is.

First, the intro. Chris Jericho's introduction of every wrestler in this match is hilarious. He finds a way of making fun the wrestlers without burying them (at least for the ones that mattered) and I could watch it over and over and over again.

Next is the commentary. This is one of the rare moments where WCW's team of Schiavone, Heenan, and Tenay gelled. If you know the behind the scenes of this team, then you know how much they detested Tony, but that's neither here nor there. The point is, the commentary is quite good..

Finally, the ending. I won't spoil it for you, but it's one of the biggest pops I've ever heard. If we could get reactions like this more often, WWE would be more enjoyable, but I guess I'll stick to TNA and the indies for consistently good crowds.

With all of that said, here's the match I've hyped up to unrealistic proportions:


PART 1: PART 2:

WRW Double Feature Episode 5 & 6

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This week we talk about the usual main 3 as well our predictions for The Elimination Chamber!!

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In this weeks WRW the gang go over
- Monday Night Raw
-Smackdown
- TNA
- Elimination Chamber
- Other

Wheelchair's Top 5: Elimination Chamber Matches

The Elimination Chamber, Satan's Prison a structure of 16 ft (4.9 m) high, 36 ft (11 m) in diameter, weighs over 10 short tons (9,100 kg), and comprises 2 mi (3.2 km) and 6 short tons (5,400 kg) of chain. One of the WWE's most terrifying and awing matches, where six participants partake in trying to eliminate one another until one participant remains deciding the victor. The match it self begins with two participants begin the bout in the ring as the remaining four are held within each inner enclosure and are released into the match at five minute intervals. Where then participants are eliminated via pinfall or submission! As of today only 15 matches have occured since it's creation in November 2002, and today I'll be talking about my Top 5!

Number 5: Edge (c) vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Kane vs. Wade Barrett vs. Big Show for the World Heavyweight Championship 

Event: Elimination Chamber (2011)

Date & Location: February 20, 2011 - Oakland, California

This was the final Chamber match the Rated-R Superstar, Edge would grace! He was the defending champion and managed to successful retain his championship during this match. However, before he actually successfully defended the belt he had to go through the other participants as he alongside Rey Mysterio were the first 2 to enter, and were the last 2 remaining, the second time to happen in Chamber history. Along with Edge and Mysterio walking in as the first 2, there was a lot of "controversy" leading into this match when Dolph Ziggler was removed from the match and replaced by the Big Show; due to Ziggler illegally being award the Heavyweight Championship a few nights prior on Smackdown only to lose it back to Edge. This made it into my Top 5 for the fact as stated several times that 2 participants that started the match were its last; with also Barrett and McIntyre being WWE's best rising stars the match would push them to their limits, while being put up against 4 of the company's best work horses they had. Anytime Edge, Mysterio, Kane and Show work together they usually can set a great pace and attention grabbing match, for even being the opening match on the card! Overall these 6 men, had what it really took to open the night and in my personal opinion should've actually closed out the card being that it was for a Championship!

Number 4: Batista vs. Big Daddy V vs. Finlay vs. The Great Khali vs. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. The Undertaker for a World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXIV

Event: No Way Out (2008)

Date & Location: February 17, 2008 - Las Vegas, Nevada

This was the No Way Out that began the transition to having the Pay-Per-View being actually titled Elimination Chamber as it held 2 Chamber Matches on the card, both being Number 1 Contendership status for the main titles at Wrestlemania. Like the last match, this also had a very similar and amazing quality for it was the first to do it, by having the first 2 participants to start as its last men vying to main event Wrestlemania. With Batista and the Undertaker, opening the match they were then faced with defending themselves against the massively weighted Big Daddy V and large, the Great Khali. Batista, and Taker somehow managed to work together while still facing off with one another, while still having to eliminated the other participants, Finlay and MVP. An outstanding moment from this match was when the Undertaker hit a Super Chokeslam on MVP from atop a holding pod, several thought MVP to be dead, until he started to stir. In the closing minutes it was a back and forth match that eventually lead to Taker hitting a massive Tombstone Piledriver on Batista to sucure the final pinfall. This personally isn't the best match, I've seen but had several features allowing me to be left pleased. Things that I personally enjoyed was knowing it'd come down to both Taker and Batista, the fact no one obviously stood a chance against them and the fact Taker practically kill MVP with that amazing Super Chokeslam. I even think at one point in the match Batista tried for a Super Batista Bomb., which if would've landed had destroyed Finlay!

Number 3: Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H vs. Umaga for a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XXIV

Event: No Way Out (2008)

Date & Location: February 17, 2008 - Las Vegas, Nevada

The second Chamber match on the No Way Out 08 card, which was also another contendership match and the actual Main Event! This match however had three of the original Chamber match's participants, Jericho, Michaels and Triple H, men that have come seriously build the history and hype of these matches. Now during this match it was entirely explosive, JBL was eliminated and in a fit of rage returned to the chamber with steel chairs attacking the remaining participants, followed by Umaga destroying the remaining in which Hardy managed to slay the beastly Umaga with a Swanton from atop a holding pod and finally leading into final minutes of the match. Jericho was quickly eliminated by Michaels and Michaels by Triple H, leaving only him and Hardy to battle it out. Now it was at this point that where I as the viewer couldn't tell what would possibly happening next, as both men continued countering one another. The attempted chair shots, and finishers aiding with impacts a top the chairs. This match would come to a close as Triple H hit a Pedigree on Hardy at top a chair! This match overall really excited me as a view and fan of WWE, as this could almost rival my Top 2 Chamber matches of all time. When ever wrestling greats like Jericho, Michaels, and Triple H take to the Chamber they literally give their all. Then by adding in Jeff Hardy, amazing chaos always insues as you don't know what stupid or crazy things he'll do to send the crowd home happy!

Number 2: Triple H (c) vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Booker T vs. Kane for the World Heavyweight Championship
Event: Survivor Series (2002)
Date & Location: November 17, 2002 - New York City, New York
The first 1st Elimination Chamber, where no knew what could or would happen! With a match like this, expectation were high as people flocked to witness this event take place at Madison Square Garden. The hype for the event was immense, with the return of Shawn Michaels, Triple H's feuds with both Kane and RVD, and Booker T along with Chris Jericho thrown into mix allowed of explosive varibles into this entire match. The match itself had several amazing features, RVD did a lot of inovating moves with the use of the Chamber, several of the superstars were eliminated via combinations of the other superstars' finishing moves and athleticism displayed was incredible. My personal favorite moments were when RVD hit a Five-Star Frog Splash on Triple H from atop a holding pod, the elimination of Kane and Shawn Michaels comeback from his hiatus to actually win the championship in only his second match back!

Number 1: John Cena (c) vs. Edge vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Mike Knox vs. Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship

Event: No Way Out (2009)

Date & Location: February 15, 2009 - Seattle, Washington

In all due respect to the original Chamber, it's not my personal favorite but holds a special place in my heart as a fan. However this match at the 2009 No Way Out PPV had something that utterly made as my Number one; that is Edge sneaked into the match in a devious way after already losing his WWE Championship in the first Chamber match of the night. Anyways as Kofi Kingston who was originally intended to be in the match entered the Chamber and try to access his holding pod, Edge jumped him from behind and locked himself in. Since the refs couldn't get him out of the Chamber they were forced to let him into the match, and it was to go on as scheduled. During the match Mysterio awaited Edge's release to get payback for his friend Kofi, along with that as Edge entered the match he was shortly followed by reigning champ, John Cena. Cena, blitzed Edge for his possible same reasons as Mysterio while restarting their amazing rivalry. In doing so this also lead to Cena's defeat as Mysterio, Jericho and Edge attacked him with their finishers combined to eliminate him. At this point being a anti-Cena fan, was the best part of the night knowing now personal favorites Jericho or Edge would become World Heavyweight Champion yet again. Eventually it'd come down to both Mysterio and Edge, the men that both helped start this top 10! When in result the two warred with one another for a few minutes until Edge hit a Spear followed up with a pinfall! This honestly was my favorite mostly for being an Edgehead, he's one of my personal favorites of all time and he really brings in alot of attention being face or heel. Since he was heel at the time and the way he entered into this match was radical, it really took a fan by surprise since something like this never happened before! Finally, the fact that the expression on his face when he got that pinfall on Cena when eliminating had me histrically full of joy, seeing Cena wasn't walking out with that beautiful World Heavyweight Championship!

In all honesty I've enjoyed counting down my Top 5: Elimination Chamber matches and hope one day to expand it to a Top 10! As for now I hoped you enjoyed my personal five, and if you didn't please comment on it; Whether it be here or Twitter! For personally, wrestling is a great hobby of mine and I do really enjoy conversating about it. Even if everyone doesn't see eye-to-eye on most subjects in the wrestling fan community, there's still a lot more respect for one another than in other fan communities I'm apart of.

Broken Infinite TV: Throwback Thursday (#9)

WE got cartoons. We got shows. We got music videos . We got Hercules!!!! Tiem to go back in the day with an all new Throwback Thursday!!!